The Nature of Life
Sometimes life reminds me of a computer game of solitaire. When you play the computer version of solitaire you are given a random set of cards to start the game. You don't have any control over what cards will be dealt. Then you work to place these cards in the precisely right order to win. There isn't a strict iron-clad pattern to how the cards should be played; there are so many variables that if you stopped to study the cards and plan out all the moves you will make in order to win before you move the first card - you will be stymied. I've learned to just go for it. Sometimes I win and sometimes I don't, but at least I'm not sitting there staring at the screen worrying about the best way to move my cards. Then there is the no cheating thing. You can't shuffle the cards until they are in the right order to help you win. The computer will not let you. Nor can you rearrange your piles of cards to make the game easier. You are stuck with the cards that the computer has dealt you for better or worse. Doesn't that sound like life?
I've had to let go of the notion that life is supposed to be fair and that life should be easy if you only followed the rules. Once I was able to let go of these two thoughts; life's events don't affect me as strongly. Don't get me wrong, when life isn't going smoothly I get upset, but I don't dwell there. It has eased my mind considerably to know that life isn't picking on me or just being mean for the fun of it. Like the computer game there are a few set rules that we can't break, but we can maneuver ourselves within these rules. Life is what we make it. We can sit there pondering our next move or we can get out there and live it. I do a little of both. I make a few moves then rest a bit to ponder the effect of my moves and what future choices I need to make.
Published by Genie Walker
Genie Walker is an amateur photographer, gardener, philosopher who also needs to write to feel complete. She supports her writing habit by working as a Librarian and a Reiki Master III. Her articles cover... View profile
- The Nature of Slavery in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin and Mark...This article describes the nature of the industry of slavery, specifically that of black, male slaves and white, free children through two important works; Harriet Beecher Stowe's, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and Mark Twian'...
- New Theories on Language Shed Light on the Nature of MusicTo understand the unique semantic content of music, we must first understand what language is and how it works in people, and consider music in the context of our discoveries about language.
- The Nature of Our EnemyThe Nature of the Enemy of Extremists Jihadists.
- Philosophical Ruminations on the Nature of Reality, and Our Place in itWhen it comes to defining the nature of reality, almost everybody has an opinion (or maybe hundreds of them). Yet how many of those opinions are based on investigation, consistency and tenability? The speculations to...
- Philosophical Justifications for the Meaning of Life: St. Paul, MacIntyre, and KurtzA brief analysis of philosophical understandings of the meaning of life.
- The Way of Life: Lao-tzu and Homer
- The Nature of Life
- The Nature of the Psyche
- THE NATURE of THINGS: COLORADO CHAINSAW ART
- The Origins of Life
- The Prospect of Life on Mars
- The Nature of Information in a Free and Just Society
16 Comments
Post a CommentWonderful article and wonderful philosophy! I found out about you in your interview by Don Pennington.
Nice observation and very reflective.
Great article, Genie.
Genie.. we may not have control over the set of cards we've been dealt in life... but I believe it is what we do with with them that defines our lives and our character.
Good thoughts...life would be easier for everyone if people would think more like this. :-)
Beautifully said. I enjoyed your comparison as I've felt that way sometimes myself.
Inspiring essay... thoroughly enjoyed the analogy to computer solitaire.
Interesting thoughts.
Thanks, Genie, that was a good way to look at it. :)
Very inspiring and thought provoking. Thanks for sharing this Genie!